An Adoption Tax Credit is now available to adoptive parents to help them offset the costs of adoption - including legal fees! For the 2008 tax year Adoptive Families with modified adjusted gross incomes of up to $174,730.00. should be eligible to receive the full $11,650.00 Adoption tax credit! The tax credit completely phases out for families with modified adjusted gross incomes exceeding $214,730. Furthermore, any unused credit may be carried forward for up to five years! For more information on how you may be able to get many of your adoption expenses reimbursed click on the TAX CREDIT button at the bottom of this page.

My fee structure reflects my philosophy of reducing anxiety in what can often be a time of emotional and financial vulnerability. Where possible, I prefer to bill on a flat rate basis, as opposed to an hourly basis, so that clients do not feel that every time we have a discussion or they have a question that the "meter" is running. Additionally, if it is easier for a client to discuss their personal issues regarding their situation outside of their office arena they are encouraged to call me in the evening without worrying about extra fees for after hour calls. I do not charge "Case Opening Fees" nor do I charge retainer fees for adoption cases unless it is a private adoption or involves interstate. Listed below are a sample of my fees for different types of adoptions.

Private Consultation Fee:
   $150.00

Agency or agency assisted adoptions:
   $700.00 Fee + $300.00 court costs* = $1,000.00

Independent/Private Adoption:
   Hourly rate of $175.00/hour + $300.00 court costs*

Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in Cook County):
   $700.00 Fee + $300.00 court costs* = $1,000.00

Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in Lake or DuPage County):
   $725.00 Fee + $300.00 court costs* = $1,025.00

Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in Kane or McHenry County):
   $800.00 Fee + $300.00 court costs* = $1,100.00

Related/Stepparent Adoption (filed in Will County):
   $725.00 Fee + $300.00 court costs* = $1,025.00

International Re-adoption:
   $525.00 Fee + $225.00 court costs* = $750.00

International First Time Adoption:
   $550.00 Fee + $225.00 court costs* = $775.00

Second Parent / Co-Parent Adoption:
   $700.00 Fee + $250.00 court costs* = $950.00

Contested Adoptions:
   Would involve considerably more work, and since the number of hours that would be
   spent on a case is too hard to predict an hourly rate of $175.00 would be charged.

Sample Court Cost in Cook County - not all of these fees will apply to all adoptions*:

* This is an estimate of the court costs only, in some cases the Guardian ad Litem may bill on an hourly basis. Clients should call to discuss the specifics of their case and get a more detailed estimate. The court costs in other counties may be higher. All court costs are the responsibility of the client(s). These rates are effective as of March 2008. These rates may be subject to change. In addition, there may be some cases which, by the nature of the facts involved, will require extra work. In such cases, the rates may be higher.